“17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified” Matthew 27:17-23!
I have often prayed for people whose faith is weak, and I have prayed that God would surround them by family and friends who will easily be able to share their love of God and their faith in Him, knowing that we are influenced by the people around us. Pilate is married to a woman who has a dream that Jesus is an innocent man, and that her husband, Pilate, should leave Jesus alone! She tells her husband, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, Jesus, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him” (verse 19).
But notice that the crowd begins to holler at Pilate to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus. And when Jesus is influenced by the crowd he asks them, “Why, what evil has Jesus done?” But here’s the deal: the crowd ends up getting its way because Pilate is influenced by those who, right there at that moment, are surrounding him. So Pilate succumbs to the temptation and influence of others and releases Jesus to them to be crucified.
You and I can easily become influenced by those who immediately surround us. Sometimes our circumstances influence us too. Thoughts in our mind convince us to follow our impulses. But it is so true that “We are who we hang with!’ So Jesus is crucified because Pilate cannot walk away from bad influences. Social media can influence us too.
Pray that when you are tempted by the voices and people and circumstances of your life that surround you, that you will run back into the arms of Jesus Christ. Today pray specifically for someone you know and love who is keeping God away at arms length, and pray that God will surround this person with people who know and love God, and who will show that to others.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7.
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” Matthew 26:41.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to all men and women. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”
1 Corinthians 10:13.
“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness” Ephesians 5:11.
“Blessed is the person who remains steadfast under trial” James 1:12.
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” 1 Corinthians 15:33.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” 1 John 5:3.
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